Is Deliverance Ministry for Today?

Submitted by Don Ibbitson on Mon, 03/15/2010 - 9:42am
This is one of the more controversial topics within the Body of Christ today and one that is sure to generate some heat, depending upon where it is brought up! 

Some are of the belief that Jesus and the disciples performed deliverances (and they did as evidenced clearly in the gospels and Acts) solely to validate the claims of Christ that He was who He said He was. These exploits were captured in the bible so that people would believe in the decades and centuries to come.   They believe that this ministry, as well as some of the other gifts, ceased when the bible was written and the disciples died. 
 
Our counseling center has a significant focus in deliverance ministry and we often need to answer this question explicitly or implicitly for many who come in for help. If we assess that they have demonic strongholds and their theology is such that they are skeptical, then we need to try to convince them to be open to the possibility that they need deliverance. Most agree to this.
 
The “arguments” we use are basically these:
  • Jesus did it. He trained the disciples to do it and they did. He commanded his followers to do it. (Mark 16:17).
  • Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.
  • He said if we loved Him we would do what He did and would do greater things!
  • Numerous testimony accounts of previous clients like them who have come in, knew they were saved/born again, and still saw themselves set free from demonic torment. Make no mistake, many times it is obvious when a person has demonic spirits in them and it is likewise obvious when they manifest and leave!
There is a phrase I’ve heard that speaks to this: “A person with a theology is always at the mercy of the person with an experience.” I do not even debate this issue any more. When people get set free from demonic spirits and they and you know it, then the issue is settled!

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